First state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Switzerland

30 October 2025

First state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Switzerland

29 October 2025 – State visit of South Africa – Media conference (Reference: The Swiss Federal Council, Bern).

From left to right: Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, and Ms Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation (Reference: The Swiss Federal Council, Bern, 29 October 2025).

State visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Bern: Switzerland and South Africa strengthen their relations.

Switzerland and South Africa are using President Cyril Ramaphosa's first state visit in Bern to strengthen their relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. The official talks focused in particular on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at the international level.

Cooperation in science, research and culture was also on the agenda. The new Africa strategy (Africa strategy 2025 - 2028), to which the UNESCO Chair on 'Physical Activity and Health in Educational Settings' also contributes, was also discussed.

For further questions please contact either the UNESCO Chair Holder Prof em. Dr Uwe Pühse (uwe.puehse@unibas.ch), Co-Chair Holder Prof em. Dr Cheryl Walter (cheryl.walter@mandela.ac.za) or Dr Ivan Müller (ivan.mueller@unibas.ch).